Is It Sick When A Cat Doesn’t Eat Or Drink And Just Sleeps All The Time?

A cat’s sudden refusal to eat or drink, coupled with excessive sleeping, is often a sign of underlying health problems and warrants immediate veterinary attention. Cats are masters of disguise when it comes to illness, often masking their discomfort until the condition becomes severe. If your cat exhibits these symptoms, it’s crucial to seek professional help without delay to prevent further deterioration and improve the chances of a successful recovery.

Several underlying medical conditions can manifest as a lack of appetite, lethargy, and excessive sleepiness in cats. These include, but are not limited to:

Upper Respiratory Infections (URIs) / “Cat Flu”: Similar to a human cold, URIs can cause nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing, and a loss of appetite. The cat may be too congested to smell its food, leading to disinterest. Fever and lethargy often accompany a URI. Early treatment with antibiotics and supportive care can help your cat recover quickly.

Gastrointestinal (GI) Issues: Conditions like gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or even a simple upset stomach can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, leading to a reluctance to eat or drink. Parasites, bacterial infections, or dietary indiscretions can trigger GI problems.

Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas can be extremely painful for cats. Pain, nausea, and loss of appetite are hallmarks of pancreatitis. This condition often requires hospitalization for supportive care, pain management, and fluid therapy.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP): FIP is a severe and often fatal disease caused by a mutated feline coronavirus. It can present in two forms: wet FIP, characterized by fluid accumulation in the abdomen or chest, and dry FIP, which can affect various organs, causing a range of symptoms including fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite. While previously considered incurable, new treatments are showing promise. Early diagnosis and intervention are essential for managing this complex disease.

Kidney Disease: Chronic kidney disease is common in older cats. As kidney function declines, toxins build up in the bloodstream, leading to nausea, loss of appetite, increased thirst and urination, and lethargy. While kidney disease is often progressive, it can be managed with dietary modifications, medications, and fluid therapy to improve the cat’s quality of life.

Liver Disease: Like kidney disease, liver disease can lead to a buildup of toxins in the body, causing similar symptoms to kidney disease, including loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), and lethargy.

Dental Problems: Painful dental issues, such as gingivitis, stomatitis, or tooth resorption, can make it difficult for cats to eat. They may drool, paw at their mouths, or show discomfort when touched near the face. A veterinary dental cleaning and extraction of diseased teeth can significantly improve a cat’s appetite and overall well-being.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) and Blockages: UTIs and, more seriously, urethral blockages (especially in male cats) can cause significant pain and discomfort. Cats with these conditions may strain to urinate, vocalize in pain, and lose their appetite. A urethral blockage is a life-threatening emergency and requires immediate veterinary intervention to relieve the obstruction.

Anemia: Anemia, a deficiency of red blood cells, can cause fatigue, weakness, and loss of appetite. It can be caused by various factors, including infections, parasites, kidney disease, and bone marrow disorders.

Cancer: Certain types of cancer can also cause a loss of appetite, lethargy, and weight loss in cats.

When to Seek Veterinary Care

It’s crucial to seek veterinary attention immediately if your cat exhibits any of the following symptoms in addition to not eating or drinking and excessive sleeping:

Vomiting: Especially if it’s frequent, projectile, or contains blood.

Diarrhea: Particularly if it’s bloody, watery, or persistent.

Changes in urination: Straining to urinate, increased frequency, blood in the urine, or complete inability to urinate.

Difficulty breathing: Rapid or labored breathing, coughing, or wheezing.

Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes).

Abdominal swelling or pain.

Neurological signs: Seizures, tremors, incoordination, or changes in behavior.

Fever or hypothermia (low body temperature).

Pale gums.

Weight loss.

What to Expect at the Veterinary Clinic

When you take your cat to the vet, be prepared to provide a detailed history of your cat’s symptoms, including when they started, how often they occur, and any other relevant information. The veterinarian will perform a thorough physical examination and may recommend diagnostic tests to help determine the underlying cause of your cat’s condition. These tests may include:

Bloodwork: To assess organ function, check for infection, and evaluate red and white blood cell counts.

Urinalysis: To check for urinary tract infections, kidney disease, and other abnormalities.

Fecal examination: To check for parasites.

X-rays (radiographs): To visualize the internal organs and look for abnormalities such as tumors, foreign bodies, or fluid accumulation.

Ultrasound: To provide a more detailed image of the internal organs.

Specific disease testing: For example, testing for feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), FIP, or heartworm disease.

Home Care and Supportive Measures

While waiting for your veterinary appointment or after receiving a diagnosis, there are several things you can do to support your cat:

Ensure Fresh Water is Always Available: Even if your cat isn’t drinking, make sure fresh, clean water is always available. Offer water in different bowls or try a cat fountain to encourage drinking. You can also try offering low-sodium chicken broth (unseasoned) to entice them to drink.

Offer Tempting Food: Try offering a variety of palatable foods, such as wet food, baby food (meat based and free of onion and garlic), or tuna in water. Warm the food slightly to enhance its aroma.

Avoid Force-Feeding Unless Instructed by Your Vet: While it’s tempting to force-feed your cat, this can actually do more harm than good. It can cause stress, aspiration pneumonia (if food is inhaled into the lungs), and food aversion. Only force-feed your cat if your veterinarian specifically instructs you to do so.

Provide a Quiet and Comfortable Environment: Make sure your cat has a quiet, comfortable place to rest away from noise and activity.

Monitor for Other Symptoms: Keep a close eye on your cat for any other symptoms and report them to your veterinarian.

Administer Medications as Prescribed: If your veterinarian prescribes any medications, be sure to administer them as directed.

Consider Assisted Feeding (with Veterinarian Approval): If your cat refuses to eat on its own for more than 24-48 hours, your veterinarian may recommend assisted feeding using a syringe or feeding tube. This should only be done under the guidance of a veterinarian to ensure proper technique and prevent complications.

Addressing Potential Psychological Factors

While physical illness is the most common cause of a cat’s refusal to eat and lethargy, psychological factors can also play a role, especially if a cat is otherwise healthy. Consider these possibilities:

Stress and Anxiety: Cats are creatures of habit and can become stressed by changes in their environment, such as a new pet, a new baby, a move to a new home, or even a change in their routine. Provide a safe and secure environment for your cat and consider using pheromone diffusers (such as Feliway) to help reduce anxiety.

Boredom: A lack of mental and physical stimulation can lead to depression and loss of appetite in some cats. Provide plenty of toys, scratching posts, and opportunities for play. Consider puzzle feeders to make mealtime more engaging.

Separation Anxiety: Cats can experience separation anxiety when their owners are away, leading to a loss of appetite and other behavioral problems. Provide plenty of enrichment activities and consider hiring a pet sitter or dog walker to provide companionship while you’re gone.

In conclusion, a cat that is not eating or drinking and is constantly sleeping is showing signs of a potentially serious health issue. Prompt veterinary care is essential to diagnose the underlying cause and provide appropriate treatment. Early intervention can significantly improve your cat’s chances of recovery and ensure a better quality of life. Remember that you are your cat’s advocate, and by being observant and proactive, you can help ensure their health and well-being.